More than 100 firefighters from almost two dozen companies around the county got the blaze under control after a few hours, but not before the roof of much of the building was gone.

By daylight Thursday, some smoke still rose from the rubble as crews boarded up the windows of classrooms. The fire also destroyed the art room and computer lab, former student Chris Hochstuhl said while pointing to the charred building.

"The pastor and principal are committed to opening school on time in September at a unified location to keep the entire school community together. Multiple options are available and being considered at this time in order to meet that goal," Archdiocese spokesman Kevin Gavin said. "Developments will be communicated to school families as rapidly as possible."

About 50 children also attend summer camp there this summer. There was no camp Thursday.

The fire damaged much of the building, but firefighters were able to save the offices and gymnasium, which were protected by firewalls. They were also able to rescue a statue of the Virgin Mary from inside the building.

"The fire which severely damaged Our Lady of Angels School in Morton (OLA) last night is a moment of deep sadness for parish and school families as well as the Catholic community at large in the region," Gavin said. "We are grateful to the firefighters and first responders who worked tirelessly to extinguish the blaze, many of whom are alumni of OLA. It is a blessing that no one was injured as a result of the fire."

The school posted a prayer to its Facebook page early Thursday morning: "God will carry you through every storm and give you strength to make it."

The effects of the fire were felt in the neighborhood as well. At one point about 40 nearby residents and eight nuns were displaced by the fire, officials said. Some fences of neighboring homes were taken down.

No signs pointed to the fire being suspicious. The fire marshal is investigating, as is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, because the fire happened at a house of worship.